World Cup 2010: Japan and Denmark game depends on Niklas Bendtner

Arsenal hitman Niklas Bendtner’s groin injury is the key to who progresses.

The teams go into their final Group E match locked ­together on three points, but Arsenal hitman Bendtner’s groin injury is the key to who progresses.[>

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Japan coach Takeshi Okada is expecting Bendtner, 22, to play and has been drilling his players on how to keep him quiet.[>

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Okada said: “I think ­Bendtner will be the key man in their attack.[>

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“They will fight under his lead.”[>

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Japan need at least a draw in Rustenburg, while Denmark must win in ­order to reach the last 16.[>

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And Denmark coach Morten Olsen said: “It’s a decisive game and ­hopefully the first final for us. We know what to do.[>

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“It would be ideal if we can overwhelm the ­opposition by 10, but it won’t be that easy. [>

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“I think it’s going to be a very close, fierce match.” Bendtner said: “We have to win. They can play very tactically. [>

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“But we have a few ­advantages we can use, ­including our height.”[>

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Japan captain Makoto Hasebe is determined to reach the next round, ­saying: “The coach has told us that in life you only get a few opportunities to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup and told us to give it our all.”[>